Jackstand suggestions ?

[Skip Lackie]

One of the advantages of working on a big Studebaker truck is that it's already so high off the ground that you don't need to jack it up for most repair jobs (exception: brake work).

[njonkman]

I was surprised that my little 1.5 ton Harbor Freight aluminum jack was able to lift my 01 Ford E350 box truck so it's good to know in a pinch. As far as lifting the rear by the center of the diff, why not? That's the spot I've used for the past 60+ years. Ditto for the center of the front axle.

When reading through the owner's manual for my 96 F150 pick up I noticed that it said never to lift the truck with a jack under the center of the differential. Just thought I would pass this on. I guess it is possible to bend the axle housing since the weight is always carried at the springs. I too have always for 60 years lifted them under the dif.
Nick

[Guido]

In lieu of jack stands I use 4" x 12" slabs of rough cut lumber 18" long. Big footprint and they will not collapse under a load. I owned a sawmill so I could make my own and the quality of the lumber was probably much better than Lowes/Home Depot.

[KenF]

In lieu of jack stands I use 4" x 12" slabs of rough cut lumber 18" long. Big footprint and they will not collapse under a load. I owned a sawmill so I could make my own and the quality of the lumber was probably much better than Lowes/Home Depot.

I do that too, for longer term project build a wood crib to hold vehicle, no chance of it falling then. But not like the pic below!

[jclary]

I do that too, for longer term project build a wood crib to hold vehicle, no chance of it falling then. But not like the pic below!

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Good Grief!!! A former college classmate of mine, and his wife, only have photo's & memories of their son who died with his pick up resting on his chest. It has been years since the tragedy, and I don't recall the details. That young man was a high school classmate of my daughter. No matter how you support a vehicle, there is always risks. Even if the support is excellent, and the risks are small, nothing will be worth your life!

I always use jack stands, and leave the jack in place too! On occasions where the jack is in the way, I take extra precautions with extra support.

One additional caution...It is tempting when moving around under a supported vehicle, to reach up and grab onto the frame for leverage to move around. Try not to do that. It is possible to move a vehicle off the jack stands that way. Even the rubber protectors you can buy, to place over the jack stand contact points, do not completely protect them from sliding sideways if enough lateral force is applied.